Software Conventions and Limitations

Units

All data in TSNet is stored in the following International System (SI) units:

  • Length = \(m\)
  • Diameter = \(m\)
  • Water pressure = \(m\) (this assumes a fluid density of 1000 \(kg/m^3\))
  • Elevation = \(m\)
  • Mass = \(kg\)
  • Time = \(s\)
  • Demand = \(m^3/s\)
  • Velocity = \(m/s\)
  • Acceleration = \(g\) (1 \(g\) = 9.8 \(m/s^2\))
  • Volume = \(m^3\)

If the unit system specified in .inp file is US units, it will be converted to SI unit in the simulation process. When setting up analysis in TSNet, all input values should be specified in SI units. All simulation results are also stored in SI units.

Modelling Assumptions and Limitations

TSNet is constantly under development. Current software limitations are as follows:

  • Demands on the start and end nodes of pumps and valves are not supported. If demands are defined on these nodes in the .inp file, they will be ignored in transient simulation, and the simulation results may not be accurate due to discrepancies between the initial conditions and the first step in transient simulation. Warnings will be printed.
  • Multi-branch junctions on the start and end nodes of pumps and valves are not supported. It is assumed that valves and pumps are connected by pipes in series.
  • During transient simulation, demands are pressure dependent .
  • Pipe Friction coefficients are converted to Darcy-Weisbach coefficients based on initial conditions.
  • Pipe bursts and leaks occur only on the nodes.
  • Transient simulation relies on a feasible steady state solution; hence, it is essential to verify that the steady state simulation succeeds without errors.